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Grants / U.S. National Science Foundation / U.S. National Science Foundation

NSF-DFG Lead Agency Opportunity in Chemistry and Chemical Process and Transport Systems

Open Closes October 6, 2076 (18238 days left) Opportunity 25-537

U.S. National Science Foundation is offering grants of up to $700,000 (at least $200,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expects to make about 10 awards worth $5.0 million in total. Applications close on October 6, 2076.

From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed October 6, 2026. Checked October 31, 2026.

Key dates

PostedJune 6, 2025
DeadlineOctober 6, 2076

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Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the applicants described in the notice.

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following: -Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. -Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.

Is this a realistic fit?

What the grant funds

Recognizing the importance of international collaborations in promoting scientific discoveries, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation, DFG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on research cooperation. The MoU provides an overarching framework to enhance opportunities for collaborative activities between US and German research communities and sets out the principles by which jointly supported activities might be developed. To facilitate the support of collaborative work between US researchers and their German counterparts under this MoU, the Division of Chemistry (CHE) and the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems (CBET) at NSF and the Divisions of Physics and Chemistry (PC) and Engineering Sciences (ING 1) at DFG are pleased to announce a Lead Agency Opportunity for Collaborative Research in Chemistry and Chemical Process and Transport Systems. The goal of this Lead Agency Opportunity is to reduce barriers to working internationally by allowing US and German researchers to submit a single collaborative proposal that will undergo a single review process while funding organizations maintain budgetary control over their awards. Proposals eligible for funding consideration through this Lead Agency Opportunity should review the CHE, CBET, PC, and ING 1 program descriptions for research supported through these divisions/organizations. Proposals are expected to adhere to typical proposal budgets and durations for the relevant CHE, CBET, PC, and ING 1 programs from which funding is sought. A list of participating NSF programs can be found at: https://www.nsf.gov/od/oise/IntlCollaborations/Germany.jsp. German researchers are invited to read: www.dfg.de/nsf-che-cbet. Proposals submitted under this Opportunity will be reviewed by either NSF or DFG as the Lead Agency, depending on where the largest proportion of research lies. Proposals must provide a clear rationale for the need for a US-German collaboration, including the unique expertise and synergy that the collaborating groups will bring to the project. The result of the review process will be shared among the appropriate divisions (NSF/CHE and/or NSF/CBET, and DFG/PC and/or DFG/ING 1) before making final recommendations.

Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

How to apply

  1. Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov and the agency's announcement. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
  2. Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
  3. Register on Grants.gov and submit through Workspace before the deadline and time given in the notice. Our application guide walks through each step.

Questions go to U.S. National Science Foundation, grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov, 703-292-4203.

Open the official notice

Questions people ask

Who can apply for NSF-DFG Lead Agency Opportunity in Chemistry and Chemical Process and Transport Systems?

U.S. National Science Foundation accepts applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

What is the deadline for NSF-DFG Lead Agency Opportunity in Chemistry and Chemical Process and Transport Systems?

Closes October 6, 2076 (18238 days left). Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.

How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $700,000 each. About $5.0 million in total across about 10 awards.

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